Ah, Friday news.
Afternoon PT session with another therapist who worked the hematoma care and the refiring of dormant muscles. I continue to learn about how a human body works. We humans are essentially the same wiring and plumbing with genetic variations, some are detrimental to survival of organism which is its primary purpose. That’s nature, what we do with what got is nurture. Mixing the 2 in whatever amounts is what our life is. What is known to me about bad nature is my body’s producing internal blood clots which nurture’s fix is taking an anticoagulant. DR told me that fix caused this hematoma. A PA told me in essence is I have chosen this lifestyle and its inherent risks. Bottom line: I will pay the piper when dues are levied.
The PT worked soft tissue on my thigh where pain resides. At first I guarded her ministrations but she persisted resulting in lessening of pain and appearance of skin wrinkles indicating reduction in swelling. Elevation lets gravity pull down the broken down blood absorbed into the lymphatic system that plumbs back into the circulatory system to be eliminated. Do the given exercises to cause dormant muscles to remember their function. I do the exercises first then wrap my knee with a hot water bottle, at device’s max temp of 120 degrees, verified by a digital thermometer. Then lay on the floor to elevate my leg on the rear bulkhead for 10 mins. The heat enlarges capillaries to carry the bad away. She showed how to make my leg work to walk. Knee bend ever so slightly. Walk as needed, no extended walking.
Every day I feel improvement in reduction of pain and discomfort. Every day what it is is better. While I linger in bed putting off potential discomfort from a chilly bedroom and shooting pain from leg when swung to vertical and weight put on it. Because pain is reducing I now anticipate feeling my leg’s improvement. Start day with lips turned up.
An hour later I learned another it is what it is from ortho DR exam of my shoulder. Don’t let me push, don’t let me pull to reveal the tale: Suspect tendons are no longer attached. I have range of motion no strength, other muscles have picked up the slack as structurally they are able. DR told me solution is shoulder replacement as elective, advised living with as is doing PT. Surgery has risks. He looked at my knee, he was the DR I saw first off.
Drove back to property. Hot during day then cooling slightly as sun fades. Residual heat keeps van warmer than outside until temp drops well after midnight. I start with just the sheet over me, chill sets in I pull over a single layer of summer down blanket and switch on the heater. Between the 2 actions my bed, with comfortable top and bottom sheets over a 2″ memory foam on top of 4″ high density foam 30 inches wide and 6 feet long, cuddles my sleep.
4272′ elevation. 9;17 AM temp is 46 degrees. Solar panel capturing little energy as numerous trees block sun and of angle of sun. The new controller reveal energy incoming and going to battery. Displays capacity level. The 2 house batteries are charged by the overflow from the alternator and the 1 solar panel. Learning that much time is needed to replace volts consumed even with engine help. Shorter days are coming followed by longer days.
Sat morning. Go Cougs.